Daily life processes predict long-term development in explicit and implicit representations of Big Five traits: Testing predictions from the TESSERA (Triggering situations, Expectancies, States and State Expressions, and ReActions) framework.

Abstract

This study examined daily life processes and their contribution to long-term continuity and change in explicit and implicit representations of Big 5 traits. The TESSERA framework (Wrzus & Roberts, 2017) served as theoretical background to derive predictions on 3 linked research questions (RQ) regarding (a) trait–state associations (RQ1); (b) antecedents and consequences of personality states (RQ2); as well as (c) processes of personality development (RQ3). We assessed Big 5 traits using self-ratings (i.e., BFI-44) and implicit association tests 4 times across 2 years in a sample of 382 younger (Mage = 21.57 years) and older (Mage = 67.76 years) adults. We also assessed momentary processes in multiple waves of daily diaries (total M = 43.9 days) focusing on people’s most memorable daily experience. As predicted in RQ1, all self-rated traits, and implicit associations of self with conscientiousness, agreeableness, or emotional stability predicted subsequent trait-relevant situations and states. Regarding RQ2 across all trait domains, momentary processes could be generalized as sequences of Triggering situations, Expectancies, States and State Expressions, and ReActions (i.e., TESSERA sequences). With respect to RQ3, states were associated with long-term changes in self-rated conscientiousness and agreeableness, and self-rated and implicitly measured extraversion. Our findings further support the assumption that momentary experiences in daily life can contribute to long-term Big 5 changes, and extend previous research by examining implicit self-concepts and changes therein. The findings highlight the role of triggering situations, expectancies, reactions, and reflection in personality development in addition to trait-relevant states.

You can’t always get what you want: The role of change goal importance, goal feasibility and momentary experiences for volitional personality development

“…In line with current models of personality development, the repeated enactment of desired personality states should eventually lead to long-term changes in personality traits (Hennecke et al, 2014;Wrzus & Roberts, 2017). Firstly, empirical results indicate that the repeated experience of states can in fact change underlying traits (Quintus et al, 2020). Also changes in the trait self-esteem over one year were related to state self-esteem assessed once per month (Hutteman et al, 2015) and increases in negative affect following daily hassles predicted increases in the trait neuroticism over a period of six years .…”

“…However, younger participants reported higher sociality, negativity and adversity of situations (all bs > 0.139, all ps < .029). For a more detailed display and discussion of age differences of traits, states and situations, see Quintus et al (2017) and Quintus et al (2020). Other than that, no consistent age differences emerged.…”

“…The current study uses data from a large longitudinal study on personality development in young and later adulthood. Other publications using the data focus on the predictors of change goals (Quintus et al, 2017) and age differences in personality development , as well as momentary processes of personality development (Quintus et al, 2020). Only the latter two manuscripts examined longitudinal changes in self-ratings of traits, but they did not examine effects of change goals, goal importance, or goal feasibility.…”

“…Only the latter two manuscripts examined longitudinal changes in self-ratings of traits, but they did not examine effects of change goals, goal importance, or goal feasibility. One other manuscript analysed momentary situations and states (Quintus et al, 2020), and we refer to the relevant results in the results and the discussion section.…”

“…Furthermore, individual differences in memory and motivation could have influenced the selection of the most memorable experience. Thus, two participants having the same experiences might consider a different situation as most relevant (Quintus et al, 2020). Therefore, it might be useful for future studies to assess predefined experiences which have been linked theoretically or empirically to the respective traits.…”